Almost everything people have ever done has involved materials. Historical evidence indicates that "engineered materials" have been available and utilized for the benefit of humankind since the Neolithic period, beginning about 10,000 BC. Some of these materials have been in existence for thousands of years. At first, materials consisted of wood, stone, ceramic clays, and meteoric metals and ores, simply shaped into useful objects. Later, copper metallurgy was developed in Asia Minor, followed by the Iron Age promoted by the Romans for their military and civil needs. From the Roman times to today, materials have undergone continuing evolution, with considerable improvement. Today's engineered materials are commonly divided into categories based on their physical and chemical characteristics. Included in those categories are: (1) metals; (2) ceramics; (3) polymers; and (4) composites. Before selecting a material for different applications, it is essential to understand the characteristics of the material. One way to identify material properties is by testing. Different types of materials testing include Rockwell and Brinell hardness testing, compression testing, shear testing, modulus of elasticity, and tensile testing. This article provides a brief description of the tests and procedures. (Contains 4 figures.)